Patent Application
20150000173
The present disclosure generally relates to a launching device, or replica thereof, operative or otherwise, more particularly, to a launcher system, more particularly, to an in-field, no-tool, operator customizable launcher system characterized by a pistol/pistol grip frame or a pistol grip frame and a stock assembly.
Adaptability and versatility remain advantageous device characteristics. In the context of hand held devices, adaptations for various use modalities are known and desirable. In the context of launching devices, there exists stand alone launching devices, e.g., hand held launching devices and/or shoulder supported launching devices, and launching devices which are a component or element of a primary device characterized by an enhanced functionality.
In a launching device context, a well known, and well documented example of enhanced functionality, namely, dual functionality, is the M203 40 mm grenade launcher. This single shot launcher was designed as a rifle attachment in order to increase the efficiency with which a soldier could alternate between bullet fire via the “host weapon,” and high energy grenade fire which was previously available via use of a dedicated, separate weapon, namely, the M79. Many interface approaches were developed in furtherance of equipping a host weapon with the M203 launcher, both minimally altered solutions (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,733,489 (Kurak), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,823 (Griffin)), and unaltered solutions (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,823 (Griffin)).
Modular designs, and systems so characterized, have been developed and are generally viewed as advantageous and desirable. For example, RM Equipment, Inc., Miami, Fla. (USA) provides, among other things, an M203PI Enhanced Grenade Launcher Module (EGLM). Unaltered and minimally altered interface solutions, advantageously but not necessarily via an interbar for non-rail interfaces, are provided. Moreover, in a “rail” context or environment (i.e., rails having their origins in military standard “MIL-STD-1913 (AR), 3 Feb. 1995” entitled “Dimensioning of Accessory Mounting Rail for Small Arms Weapon,” and an update thereto, namely, “MIL-STD-1913 Update Notice 1, 10 Jun. 1999”) a “universal” module is advantageously provided. As shown and described in Applicant's published international application WO 2012/099876 (Appl. No. PCT/US2012/021543), incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, such universal modules are characterized by direct (see e.g., WO 2012/099876, FIG. 1 or 9) or indirect means (see e.g., WO 2012/099876, FIG. 12) to readily, reliably and robustly unite an EGLM or the like with/to, for instance, a host device or tactical mount (see e.g., the M203PI Tactical from RM Equipment; see also, either of U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,673,412 or 7,827,721, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entireties).
As is known and appreciated, virtually any rifle or sub-gun (i.e., a host weapon) can be equipped with a grenade launcher. Again, at least in the context of the M203PI, the EGLM may be added/removed in relation to a host weapon as a supplemental device as easily as changing magazines. Moreover, owing to structural features, a single EGLM may be readily shared by grenadiers carrying different host weapons, and exchanged as needed. Thus, cross-training and tactical operations are not hardware limited, with dedicated grenadiers no longer a necessity as any/all team member(s) may suitably and advantageously have at their ready disposal an easily adapted multifunction device.
Beyond provisions as a supplemental device, there remains a need for dedicated, stand alone functionality, more particularly, a need for improvements with regard to stand alone versatility, namely, versatility in the context of launcher platforms. Platforms, more often than not, generally comprise those characterized by a pistol grip or a pistol grip and a stock/butt stock assembly.
An innovative tactical mount from RM Equipment is characterized by a novel hinge mechanism which permits ready operator conversion between hand/pistol based support/operation and shoulder based support/operation (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,673,412). While widely viewed as a welcome improvement over a singular firing modality platform, it is believed that a truly universal approach remains outstanding and desirable.
Thus, and broadly, it is desirable to provide a launcher system, characterized by a launching device, operable or otherwise, wherein the launching device may be readily utilized in either of hand held or shoulder supported postures. Moreover, in the non-limiting context of grenade launching, it is believed advantageous to offer a grenade launcher system, advantageously but not necessarily in a kit form or format, generally characterized by a grenade launcher, or replica thereof, operable or otherwise, and a launcher platform readily convertible without tools between either of a hand/pistol based operation/firing, and/or a shoulder based operation/firing, more particularly, to enable a variety of launcher modalities, whether as a supplemental or primary device, via select, no-tool operator structural additions/removals.
A launcher system, advantageously in kit form, is broadly provided. The system generally includes a launching device, operable or otherwise, a pistol grip frame characterized by a frame body and a pistol grip extending therefrom, and a stock assembly. The frame body has a first frame body portion adapted for select operative union with the launching device, and a second frame body portion adapted for select operative union with a stock assembly. The stock assembly is adapted for select operative union with the second frame body portion of the frame body of the pistol grip frame.
In a preferred, non-limiting embodiment, the system generally includes a grenade launcher, a pistol grip frame, and stock assembly. The grenade launcher is characterized by a launcher body and a barrel assembly. The pistol grip frame is characterized by a frame body and a pistol grip extending therefrom, the frame body having a first frame body portion adapted for select operative union with the grenade launcher, and a second frame body portion adapted for select operative union with the stock assembly. The stock assembly is adapted for select operative union with the second frame body portion of the frame body of the pistol grip frame. No-tool select operator union of elements of the system is enabled.
Provisions are advantageously made for a universal grenade launcher, or facsimille thereof, which may be readily supported, without resort to tool use, to a host structure. In the context of a stand alone weapon platform, a universal, enhanced grenade launcher module is readily and robustly mateable to a tactical mount, more particularly, a tactical mount selectively convertible between primary hand held operation and primary shoulder supported operation. A pistol grip frame includes a portion for operative receipt of the launcher, and a portion for optional operative receipt of a stock assembly. Advantageously, but not necessarily, the stock assembly is characterized by either of or both of a telescoping and folding stock. The interface for, between and among the pistol grip frame and the stock assembly is characterized by reversible locking and tension aided disassociated. An actuator for mechanical means for establishing and maintaining an interference fit for, between and among the pistol grip frame and the stock assembly is provided in recessed condition to eliminate inadvertent/unintentional disassociation of the structures. More specific features and advantages obtained in view of those features will become apparent with reference to the drawing figures and DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.
The apparatus, kit, assemblies, subassemblies, structures and/or elements disclosed directly or implicitly herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated. Thus, the features described and depicted herein/herewith are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive with the following brief description of the drawings and their content provided:
A versatile, operator configurable launcher system is generally provided. While characterized as a “launcher system,” notionally an apparatus is provided to permit a hand held device (e.g., and, without limitation, a “launcher”), having general utility on its own, or general utility on its own with minimal alteration, to be utilized in the context of a frame mounted hand held assembly characterized by an operative combination of the apparatus and the device, and/or to be utilized in the context of an altered operative combination of the apparatus and the device such that a shoulder supported posture/modality for such device may be utilized.
As will be later detailed, the system ( (
With reference now to
Generally, the pistol grip frame 80 includes a frame body 82 and a pistol grip 84, characterized by a head 86 and handhold 88, extending therefrom. The frame body 82 includes a first frame body portion 90 adapted for select operative union with the launcher 20, and a second frame body portion 92 adapted for select operative union with stock assembly 50.
The grenade launcher is advantageously, but not exclusively, characterized by an enhanced grenade launcher mount (EGLM). More particularly and preferably, provisions for an M203PI EGLM for weapons (or devices) having rails (i.e., an M203PI EGLM for operative, secure, no-tools union with a MIL-STD-1913 rail, a/k/a Picatinny or P-rail, of a weapon/device (WO 2012/099876)),
As was earlier cited, the utility of Applicant's EGLM was improved via provisions of a tactical mount. The stand alone mount system improved upon the M79 functionality via elimination of, among other things, the bulkiness and cumbersome nature of that weapon system. The compact, light weight stand alone launcher system with a telescoping and folding stock assembly (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,673,412) provided a improved level of tactical flexibility. Presently, it is believed desirable and advantageous to provide an M203PI universal launcher system, advantageously in a kit format, that combines the rail mountable launcher with a tactical mounting system that can be readily converted to/from a pistol mount (i.e., the tactical mounting system is convertible between exclusive hand held operation, without forend support or with, via, e.g., an M203grip accessory (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,454,858), and shoulder supported hand held operation).
With reference now to
The second frame body portion 92 includes a recess or cavity 104 (see e.g., any of
The grenade launcher of the contemplated system, note especially the device of
With particular reference now to
With reference again generally to ) of the butt stock by an operator.
Preferably, but not exclusively, as shown (see especially either of
With reference now to
The free end of second frame body portion 92 of frame body 82 of the pistol grip frame 80, as previously noted, is characterized by recess or cavity 104 which delimits free end sidewall 108. As shown, a cap 122 generally covers cavity entry or mouth 114. Upon removal for operative union with the stock assembly, cap 122 may be readily, handily and securely retained withing an aperture 66 of butt stock 54 (
The free end of stock body 52 is generally configured and dimensioned for receipt and retention within cavity 104 of second frame body portion 92. As previously noted, detent 64 tensioningly extends from a surface of the free end of stock body 52 (
To the extent an operator wishes to transition from a hand/pistol based operation/firing to a shoulder based operation/firing, two options are available. First, owing to the folding character of the stock assembly, an operator may readily and easily transition the
Finally, since the assemblies, subassemblies, devices, structures and/or elements disclosed directly or implicitly herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the features described and depicted herein/herewith are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. For instance, while a grenade launcher 20 is illustrated, e.g.,
